Closure...

It's another #writerwednesday and today's post will give you a preview into A Woman's Design: Redemption. For too long, Ambiance has felt she needed a man to be complete. A savvy businesswoman, fashion diva, and lover of life, she has not made the best decisions when it comes to love. This young widow is seeking love again, but now she's asking herself the tough questions...

“What took you so long?” Denver asked, looking at his watch.

“Baby, I was only five minutes late.”

“I know, but you told me you’d only be there another forty-five minutes,” he whined.

“I know what I told you, but it couldn’t be helped. I got caught up in traffic on the way over. There was an accident. Some pedestrian was hit by a motorcycle. If it weren’t for that, I’d have been fifteen minutes early.”

“Yeah, well…you could’ve called. I was worried about you. I ordered you the capriccio imperiale. I know how much you love their seafood,” he said, taking my hand in his.

I fought not to snatch it back from him. It was amazing how I had gone from one man who didn’t show me any attention no matter how much I begged, to another man who wouldn’t allow me breathing room.
I was upset about him taking the liberty to order for me, and it obviously showed on my face.

“What’s wrong, Ambi? Don’t you want the salad? You usually always order that when we come here.”

“I know. I was just in the mood for one of their pizzas tonight. Nothing more.”

“I was just watching your calories for you. I’ve noticed you put on a few pounds lately, and I thought I’d help you out,” Denver supplied.

I know my eyes bucked in my head when he said those words. Instead of going straight ghetto on him the way I wanted to, I pushed down a scream and turned away from him. My back turned to him, I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes shut until I knew I wouldn’t scream or rant at him. I chose to watch the other couples laughing and smiling around us. I wondered what their lives were like.

“Aren’t you gonna talk to me, baby?” he asked, after the waiter placed our dishes on the table. Denver had been going on about his day for the last fifteen minutes, and I hadn’t heard a thing.

I had chosen to block out his words and focus on the dream I had yesterday. It had been some time since I’d allowed Nick to rent a corner in my head space. But, I couldn’t deny I had always wondered how his touch would feel against my naked body.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, I focused my attention back on the man in front of me. I plastered a fake smile on my face and tuned in to his words. “What is it, babe?”

“I was asking if you thought you might be able to get a couple of my models I work with in your fashion show?”

“Which ones?” I asked guardedly, still smiling with my chin cupped inside my hand. I had been stirring my food around on my plate absently. I wasn’t really hungry.

“Um…I was thinking Lynn and Felice,” he answered.

The smile suddenly slipped from my face. I know he did not just ask me to place Felice into my show. I was not a jealous woman by nature, but something about having your husband of four years cheat on you made you somewhat suspicious of ex-girlfriends. And I did not see the benefit of using Denver’s ex-girlfriend, Felice, in my show.

“I don’t think that would be such a good idea, Denver.” I speared some calamari and green beans on my fork and shoveled them in my mouth. My food had lost its flavor, but I needed to preoccupy my mouth to prevent me from saying something I would later regret.

“Why not? I think it would be wonderful. I mean, after all, they’re both talented and experienced models. Two beautiful women who will definitely sell the designs and the show,” he laughed.

From the way he stared at me, I could tell Denver couldn’t understand why I couldn’t perceive the ingenuity behind his idea.

Slowly chewing my food, I stared at him as if he had lost his mind. After I finished swallowing the last bit, I realized I could no longer prolong my answer.

“We’re only using the women from the shelter. This isn’t just about the sales to raise funds and gathering donations, but it’s about building their self-esteem,” I explained for the umpteenth time.

“Okay. But don’t you think it’d be great to add two professional models in there to show them how to walk, how to pose, how to project confidence, and all of the intricacies of modeling?” he implored, setting his fork beside his plate.

“No, I don’t. In fact, it might hinder what we’re trying to do. I can only imagine the women who don’t have the confidence or self-esteem constantly comparing themselves against your models. They’ll never get to where we’re trying to get them to be. Besides, none of them are rail thin like Lynn and Felice. If anything, they’ll walk away from this a bit more scarred than they were before.” I began eating my food again.

“How can you turn down the opportunity to have two professional models working with them, Ambi? Isn’t that selfish?”

“No, it isn’t. Actually, what you’re asking me is a bit selfish. I don’t see how this is going to benefit the shelter or the women in the slightest. Anyway, we already have professional models, as you say, teaching them how to walk the runway, how to pose, and give the look,” I said, using air quotes. “The only difference is they won’t be on the runway stealing the spotlight from our ladies.”

“What was that comment supposed to mean?” he asked.

“What comment?”

“The one about me being selfish?”

I looked out the window of the restaurant at the passersby. I wished I could take my words back, because I knew they would lead to an argument. “Look, Denver.” I leaned forward and placed my fingertips together in a steeple, elbows on the table. I meant business. “Here’s the deal: I’m not interested in working with your ex on this show; not today, not tomorrow, and never in the future. Why is it so important for her to get on this show anyway?”

Denver looked back at his plate once more and pushed it away from him. “It’s not about why it’s so important, Ambi. I just asked for one simple damned favor, and you couldn’t do that for me,” he said, shaking his head.

“Look, let’s not do this here,” I said, looking around the restaurant. This was one of my favorite places to frequent, and I didn’t want to spoil it by having a confrontation with my boyfriend in public.

“Let’s not do it at all. I’m out,” he said, tossing his napkin on the table and storming away.

I shook my head and laughed. Denver was so petty and immature. This wasn’t the first time he had stalked out on me in the middle of dinner. It also wasn’t the first time he had stuck me with the bill. Hell, he would do that whether he was mad or not.

What did I expect? I was thirty-four and he was twenty-seven. There was an age gap there, but when I met him, I never thought it would matter. Guess I was wrong.

If you haven't read book one, click the image or title below to download now...

A Woman's Design: Afflictions

Women's fiction author and blogger, Chelle Ramsey brings a refreshing perspective into the lives of her readers and wants them to find entertainment, healing and inspiration in each novel. Using real problems and challenges faced by ordinary people, Chelle wants readers to become empowered to rise above life's adversities, with faith in God, and belief in themselves.

Her stories are relatable to individuals of diverse demographics, who have suffered a loss, been hurt, have low self-esteem, have lost hope, or need a word of encouragement. She strives to take your emotions on a roller coaster ride, one page at a time. Chelle holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, which she puts to use in her Human Resources role by day, while she writes her fiction novels at night. And in her spare time, she’s a blogger, freelance writer, and ghostwriter. 
Her most important roles are those of a wife and mother of three. During her “me time,” she becomes enraptured with the enthralling stories of Terry McMillan, Nora Roberts, James Patterson and Stuart Woods. Chelle Ramsey resides in a rural community in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys writing, family time, and watching NBA games.

She hosts the annual 20 Days of Love authors’ blogging campaign, March Madness authors’ giveaways campaign, and showcases other authors on her blog at www.chelleramsey.com/beautifully-inspired-blog. Her novels can be found online at Chelle Ramsey Amazon.
 
LINKS:
WEB: www.chelleramsey.com
EMAIL: chelleramseywrites@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: ChelleWrites
TWITTER: @UndeniablyChell
PINTEREST: ChellesBooks
INSTAGRAM: UndeniablyChelle

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